A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gwillim family of England.
Reg. 2425 · English, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
ermineDignity and rank
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Counter-ermine (Ermines)Means: Dignity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. a lion ramp. ermines collared or, quartering RAVENHILL, MAUDE, and others”
HerefordBrainge Court · Hereford, c. 1500
Where the Gwillim Arms Were Recorded
Hereford
Map of England showing where the Gwillim arms are recorded
The Gwillim arms were recorded in Hereford, c. 1500.
Herefordshire lay on the Welsh border, where land was held in return for military service. Families there were expected to arm and to fight, and a fighting household needed a shield it could be known by.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
Henry VII of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VII of England
1485–1509
Reigning in England when the Gwillim arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Hereford.
Origin & History of the Gwillim Family in England
The surname Gwillim is a patronymic name that originated in the border regions between England and Wales. It is derived from the Welsh personal name Gwilym, which is the Welsh equivalent of the name William. By the year 1500, the family had established a strong presence in the county of Herefordshire. During this period, the name was often spelled in various ways, such as Gwilliam or Gwillime, because standardized spelling did not yet exist. Many families in this area were deeply involved in the local agricultural economy and the social life of the Welsh Marches. As the family grew, they became well-integrated into the local community, often serving in parish roles or managing land within the region. This history reflects the blending of Welsh naming traditions with the administrative structures of the English border counties.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gwilym
A Welsh form of the Germanic name William meaning resolute protector.
This name
GwillimA patronymic surname derived from the Welsh equivalent of William.
also spelled
Gwilliam
Gwillym
Related arms
Guillimvariant spelling
Gwilliamvariant spelling
Gwillymvariant spelling
Brookerecorded with Gwillim, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
Morgan, T.J. and Morgan, P., Welsh Surnames, 1985
The National Archives, Early Chancery Proceedings, C 1/1274/48 (records mentioning Gwillim family members in Herefordshire)
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
ermineDignity and rank
lionCourage, strength and royalty
ermineDignity and rank
lionCourage, strength and royalty
